Earned-run average is one of the benchmark statistics by which a softball pitcher's performance is measured. Earned-run average is calculated by plugging a pitcher's totals of earned runs and innings pitched into a simple formula, but a statistician first must understand the difference between an earned run and an unearned run.
Step 1
Determine which runs charged to a pitcher's account in a game are earned and which are unearned. An earned run is charged to a pitcher when an opponent scores by base hit, a base-on-balls, a hit batter, a wild pitch, fielder's choice, sacrifice bunt, sacrifice fly or balk. An earned run can be charged to a pitcher even after another relief pitcher takes the mound, if the previous pitcher allowed the scoring runner to reach base.
Step 2
Subtract runs charged to a pitcher from her total of earned runs if the player reached base on an error, if an error such as a dropped foul ball prolonged her at-bat or if a base runner advanced on a passed ball and would not have scored otherwise. Likewise, if an error prolongs an inning and allows extra runners to score, do not score those runs as earned runs.
Step 3
Mark each pitching change during a game on a lineup card or official book, to clarify which runs are charged to which pitchers. If a relief pitcher faces a batter and inherits a batter's count from the previous pitcher with more balls than strikes -- with the exception of a count of one ball and no strikes -- the previous pitcher, not the new pitcher, will be charged with a base on balls, if the batter draws a walk. Credit a run scored by the batter as an earned run to the first pitcher.
Step 4
Reconstruct each inning without errors and passed balls to make the final determination between earned and unearned runs, giving the pitcher the benefit of the doubt. Any runs scored after a team should have recorded an out, but did not because of an error, should be erased from a pitcher's total of earned runs. Likewise, if a runner advanced on a passed ball and would not have otherwise scored before three outs were recorded, the run is deemed unearned.
Step 5
Add up the total number of earned runs allowed by a pitcher, then multiply that sum by the number of innings in a regulation game -- seven for a typical scholastic, collegiate or professional softball game. Then divide the product of earned runs and innings per regulation game by the pitcher's total number of innings pitched. Add 0.33 to the pitcher's total number of innings if the total includes one out in a partial inning; add 0.67 if the total includes two outs in a partial inning. For example, a pitcher who goes six complete innings and gets one out in the seventh before being replaced will have pitched 6.33 innings. Calculate the earned-run average to two decimal places.
Tips and Warnings
- Charge an earned run to a pitcher when a batter scores after reaching base on a fielder's choice only when the runner forced out on the fielder's choice play was earned. If the player reaches base on a fielder's choice in place of an unearned runner, the runner remains unearned.
- Avoid undue assumptions when reconstructing an inning. An official scorer or statistician should give the pitcher the benefit of the doubt and not assume a runner would advance extra bases on a batted ball. However, the scorer also must not assume a defense would make a double play when a ground ball is hit up the middle to a fielder with runners on base.
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